Nonmineral
A nonmineral in mineralogy is a substance found in nature that does not satisfy the definition of a mineral nor of a mineraloid. Many nonminerals are mined and have industrial or other uses similar to minerals, such as jewelry.
Mineral definition
To be classified as a "true" mineral, a substance must be a solid, arising from geological processes, and having a crystal structure. Traditionally, it must also be an inorganic, naturally occurring, homogeneous substance with a defined chemical composition, but now organically derived substances that have been transformed into a crystalline structure are minerals.
Common Nonminerals
- Amber, organic, non-crystal structure.
- Anthracite, a variety of coal, "hard coal."
- Bitumen, a natural mixture of organic molecules forming a viscous liquid.
- Coal, organic, non-homogeneous, and non-crystal structure.
- Coprolite, fossilized feces, a fossil of organic origin.
- Coquina, non-homogeneous, non-crystal limestone formed from marine shells and coral.
- Gilsonite, natural asphalt.
- Glass, non-crystalline substance of varying chemical composition.
- Kerogen, a natural organic precursor to petroleum and natural gas.
- Lignite, a variety of coal, "brown coal."
- Mercury, a liquid at normal temperatures, but often classified as a mineral [1] [2].
- Obsidian, usually not considered a mineral due to non-crystal structure.
- Petroleum, organic and liquid.
- Most rocks are mixtures of minerals, but some are composed of just one mineral.
- Pyrobitumen, an organic, nonhomogeneous, non-crystal structure.
- Saussurite, an aggregate of minerals.
- Synthetic diamond, not naturally occurring like most other synthetic gems, but difficult to distinguish from naturally occurring forms.
- Vulcanite, vulcanized natural or synthetic rubber, thus not a mineral due to organic composition, lack of crystal structure, and not naturally occurring.
- Water, a liquid (but naturally occurring ice is a mineral).
Other considerations
Some "minerals", such as apatite and mica, are not homogeneous substances, but a mixture of minerals, sometimes referred to as a mineral group.
See also
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